We’re delighted that three of our members – deputy national chair Jacqui MacDonald-Davis, former national chair Bev Higgs, and former trustee Dan Longman – were recognised in the King’s New Year Honours List, for their services to the administration of justice as magistrates.
Jacqui MacDonald-Davis OBE
Jacqui MacDonald-Davis has been a magistrate since 2005 and sits on the Central London bench. She has been one of our deputy national chairs since 2022. She joined the MA board in 2019 and soon afterwards was elected the chair of our Black, Asian and minority ethnic network, a position she held until 2023. Jacqui is also a member of the MA’s training, learning and development committee, and was previously an executive member of our Central and North London branch.
Outside of the MA, Jacqui has served as advisory committee member and the deputy chair of the Central London bench, and has been an appraiser, a mentor, and an independent panel member for the Judicial Appointments Commission. She received an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to the administration of justice and to volunteering, and commented:
“First of all, I’d like to thank those who made this national honour possible, that is those who thought me worthy enough to support an application which made this national honour a reality.
“I’m so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion, particularly as I know my parents would have been so proud if they were alive.
“It really is an incredible honour and privilege that I have been selected for such an esteemed award. Notwithstanding the many other unsung heroes/magistrates among us who have volunteered their service over many years. Hence the MA’s desire to ensure that the work of magistrates is recognised and rewarded in some way.
“It is indeed amazing to be in the company of so many other honorary individuals – indeed it’s humbling and inspiring.
“This honour is not just for me but for everyone who has supported me along my judicial journey. Especially members of the MA staff team, members of the MA board of trustees, magistrates on my bench and beyond. And the amazing buddy volunteers and retired magistrates who have remained supportive of the MA.
“Finally, I nominate this honour to my parents, my amazing son, James, who makes me want to do even better, and my sister, Novia who continues to lead by example.
“My parents once said that to whom much is given, much is expected. Therefore, this national honour is accepted with a deep sense of responsibility for my role as a magistrate and as a member of the Magistrates’ Association.”
Bev Higgs MBE
Bev Higgs has been a magistrate since 2005 and sits on the Avon, Somerset and Gloucester bench. She was our national chair from 2020 to 2022, having been a trustee since 2015. She was the chair of our training, learning and development committee and has mentored new magistrates. She is also the founder of our member support line and chair of our Somerset branch.
Under Bev’s leadership, we had many achievements; most notably the raising of magistrates’ retirement age and the first extension of magistrates’ sentencing range. She received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the administration of justice and said:
“I am delighted to receive the MBE for my work with the Magistrates’ Association and local bench. Throughout my time at the MA headquarters, I was very fortunate to work with truly talented and committed people and have a great time too! I will always be grateful for the opportunities to meet so many members and to have had some wonderful experiences – the Westminster Abbey Legal Service was something I’ll never forget.”
Dan Longman MBE
Dan Longman has been a magistrate since 2015 and sits on the Merseyside bench. He was a trustee from 2020 to 2023, and also served as deputy chair of our LGBT+ network. He received an MBE for services to the administration of justice and commented:
“My appointment as an MBE in the New Year Honours List is a particularly fitting way to mark my tenth year as a magistrate for Merseyside. Over the past decade, my service has included volunteering on various panels (adult crime, family, crown court appeals, and out-of-hours warrants), plus serving as a deputy of the Merseyside and Cheshire Advisory Committee, and mentoring new magistrates. I am currently a deputy of the bench here in Liverpool and an active member of our local branch of the Magistrates’ Association, where I serve on its executive committee.
“I genuinely enjoy the challenge of being a magistrate, and I’ve written numerous (approved) articles for local media raising awareness of the magistracy and what we do, alongside the promotion of recruitment opportunities to new and diverse audiences across the local area. I am deeply honoured by this recognition, and I hope it serves to highlight the dedication and invaluable contributions of volunteer magistrates across the country.”
Our chief executive, Tom Franklin, commented:
“Magistrates are the unsung heroes of our justice system – without them, the criminal justice system would quickly grind to a halt. We’re delighted that our members’ dedication as magistrates serving their communities has been recognised in this way. We couldn’t be more proud of Jacqui, Bev and Dan, and send our warmest congratulations to them.”
Don’t miss our honours webinar on 15 January 2025 with Karen Canner, Honours Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, to find out more about the system and how to nominate magistrates for honorary titles.
